I don’t browse the New Look selection very often, partially because I don’t like the website (though it is improved from the original re-design) and partially because they never go on sale like the Simplicity/McCalls $1-ish sales at JoAnn’s. In all fairness, the standard $5 price tag is super reasonable, so I should really peruse their selection more frequently. As a bonus—I never need to wait for a sale.
The “tween” pattern New Look 6487 stopped me dead in my tracks, so I made sure to pick it up. It’s so cute! I love all the style options included. I’m sure it’ll be on repeat all year round—currently all three of my girls are asking for one version or another. Being the youngest girl, Isabella always gets the ratty hand-me-downs (poor thing!) so I try to make her something special every now and again. She happened to be with me when I bought the pattern and she loved this lightweight denim at JoAnn’s—perfect match. And seriously, this fabric is so nice and soft! I’m sure I’ll be going back for more.
The smallest size is an 8, and she is very tiny as is (just shy of 9 yrs old), so I knew it would be big on her. I did not make any size alterations to the pattern because I figured it would be fine to be oversized now, and hopefully fit her better next year. I did eliminate the back pleat because I felt it was odd to have the pleat combined with the gathered skirt. Idk, maybe I’m just being weird, but I didn’t like it. Since there is plenty of volume as is, I simply shifted the back piece off the edge of the fabric, and did the same with the back skirt piece.
The only other change I made was to cut different chest pockets. The pattern has a funky pocket shape and I wasn’t digging it. I keep pocket templates sitting around in my sewing room, so I just grabbed a kid sized pocket and used that.
I just want to note how pleased I was with this pattern! The yoke, collar, and collar stand all have full size pieces, with the grain line correctly indicated. Frequently these pieces are cut on the fold and laid perpendicular to the grain, where they should be turned and cut with the grain. At least this is how it’s done in RTW, and also how David Coffin illustrates it to be done in his Shirtmaking book. Additionally, the neckline and collar pieces have 3/8″ SA’s, making it infinitely easier to assemble. I always cut down the SA’s if they are any wider than this, so it was nice that I didn’t have to fuss with changing it myself.
Oversized or not, she is completely in love with this dress and has snuck in several wears before throwing it in the wash. It’s denim, so who am I to judge. She plans to layer it with leggings or tights and a long sleeve tee underneath so she can continue to wear it through the winter since you can’t easily stuff the sleeves into a sweater. All in all I am super pleased with how this dress came out, as is Isabella. I’ll definitely be sewing this one again, and *ahem* maybe making a knockoff for myself…
—lisa g.
TL;DR
PATTERN: New Look 6487
FABRIC: lightweight denim | JoAnn’s
SIZE: 8 (measurements for reference: 4’2″/22.5″/21.5″/24″)
MODS: eliminated back pleat, used different chest pocket
ALTERATIONS: none
NEXT TIME: no changes planned
So. So. SO CUTE!!!! And a really great item to sew for fall! It’ll probably be an absolute favorite for her!
Thank you! I know she’ll wear it to death.
Great, super wearable dress. It reminds me of an Oliver & S pattern.
Thank you, my girls love shirtdresses!
Really cute! The center back pleat does seem really weird to have in this design; good call leaving it off.
Thank you! I can be super picky about what I think should or shouldn’t be apart of a particular design… Glad I did leave it off because there is clearly enough volume in the back!
What a great outfit! Your daughter looks darling in it! How neat if you made one for yourself–you could both wear them together!
Thank you! I’m not one for mommy/daughter matching outfits, but I could make an exception here 😉
This is so cute! I have used that lightweight denim fabric and I love it, too. I can definitely see knocking this off for yourself. It looks super comfortable!
Thank you, Teri! Somehow I had never seen this denim before, but I guess it’s regularly kept in stock. Will definitely use it again!
LOVE IT. And pretty sure my girls will too. Fabulous make. Cute but not cutesy.
I adore it; it’s cute & cool, all at the same time! Definitely prefer it without that centre back pleat too – good thinking!
Gorgeous dress! really cute and practical. I have to admit I’m green with envy that NL patterns are only $5 for you!!
This looks fabulous!! I can see why she wants to wear it all the time. Good tween patterns are hard to find.
Very cute! Almost Alderish with the dropped waist. Glad she loves it!
So cute! Took a look at the line drawings of the pattern and wow! There are so many variations! Your girls could get a whole closet full of different dresses!
This is super cute! She’s really rocking it!
Super CUTE! I need to find this pattern in adult size 😉
I love it!!! It is so beautiful and looks so cute on her. It’s perfectly oversized and I am sure she will grow into it. I agree, back pleat is kind of weird on oversized dress… And good call on the pockets!
Thank you, she wore it a lot this fall!